1900s

Explore 1900s stories

Passing out parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, c1955

Sandhurst, officers and the role of history

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has trained the Army’s officers since 1802. For generations, its officer cadets have striven to live up to the academy’s motto: ‘Serve to Lead’.

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Mapping the Far East campaign

This video provides a brief summary of the battles fought in the air, on sea and on land during the Far East campaign of the Second World War. It also examines how we remember these events today.

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Japanese flag captured by 6th Battalion, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, 1945

A collection of flags captured during the Second World War sheds light on the tough close-quarter combat of the Burma campaign and provides some rare insights about soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army.

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2nd Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles at Ahnai Tangi in Waziristan, 14 January 1920

The North-West Frontier

Between 1849 and 1947, British and Indian soldiers undertook a series of punitive expeditions against the fiercely independent tribesmen of this wild and mountainous region.

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Gold 20 years' good conduct medal, 13th Regiment of Foot, c1825

Regimental medals

Before campaign medals, gallantry decorations and good conduct awards were introduced in the 19th century, many regiments rewarded outstanding service with their own ‘unofficial’ medals.

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‘The 1st Cruiser’, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Surrey, November, 1940

The Sale Collection: Preparing for action

In the second instalment of this series, we explore the wartime exploits of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry in 1940-41. During this time, the unit prepared for overseas deployment, training hard and getting to grips with a variety of armoured vehicles.

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Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Opening, 15 July 1960

A history of the National Army Museum in famous faces

In the final instalment of our anniversary series, we look at some of the high-profile figures who have visited over the years, either to lend their support or simply out of enthusiasm for the Army's story.

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The Sale Collection: Origins and early years

In the first instalment of this series, we learn about the origins of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), its pre-war service and the outbreak of fighting in 1939.

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Hastings Room, Victoria Cross and George Cross exhibition, 1962

A history of the National Army Museum in ten exhibitions

Since 1960, the National Army Museum has been exhibiting items that reveal the achievements, history and traditions of the Army. Here, we take a look at some stand-out displays from the past six decades.

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Members of 3 Para celebrate victory, 1982

The British Army and the Falklands War

In April 1982, British soldiers joined a naval task force sent to re-take the Falkland Islands after their surprise capture by the Argentine military. They went on to play a key part in the land campaign that helped secure victory in the war.

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A history of the National Army Museum in a dozen donations

Most of the objects held by the National Army Museum are in public ownership because of the generosity of individuals or organisations who have donated them.

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Passing German prisoners of war when moving up to the Aller, Germany, April 1945

Countdown to victory

In the spring of 1945, Allied armies began their final advance into the heart of Nazi Germany. After weeks of intense fighting, they secured victory, ending the most destructive war in Europe's history.

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Explore 1900s events

First World War recruiting poster showing a line of civilians turning into soldiers

Secondary (virtual)

7 September - 1 December 2020

FREE

What is Total War? (virtual)

Investigate the concept of Total War by tracing the steps taken to prepare for industrialised conflict in the First and Second World Wars.

find out more

Part of a First World War propaganda poster showing a soldier and a munitions worker

Primary (virtual)

7 September - 1 December 2020

FREE

Your Country Needs You! Propaganda and recruitment (virtual)

Explore how advertising and propaganda work, particularly focusing on recruitment campaigns of the First World War.

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A British medical orderly treats a wounded German soldier, c1916

Secondary (virtual)

7 September - 1 December 2020

FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment (virtual)

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

find out more

Primary (virtual)

7 September - 1 December 2020

FREE

Poppies to remember? (virtual)

Discover some of the stories of Remembrance held by the Museum, the evolution of the poppy as a symbol, and how it is used today.

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Second World War propaganda poster contrasting pre- and post-war accommodation in Britain

Secondary (virtual)

7 September - 1 December 2020

FREE

Recruitment and conscription (virtual)

Analyse recruitment posters from the Museum's collection and multimedia recreations of First World War parliamentary debates to explore the history of Army recruitment and conscription.

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Your Country Needs You! Propaganda and recruitment

Primary workshop

7 September 2020 - 23 July 2021

FREE

Your Country Needs You! Propaganda and recruitment

Explore how advertising and propaganda work, particularly focusing on recruitment campaigns of the First World War.

find out more

Secondary workshop

7 September 2020 - 23 July 2021

FREE

Recruitment and conscription

Analyse recruitment posters from the Museum's collection and multimedia recreations of First World War parliamentary debates to explore the history of Army recruitment and conscription.

find out more

Secondary workshop

1 December 2020 - 23 July 2021

FREE

What is Total War?

Investigate the concept of Total War by tracing the steps taken to prepare for industrialised conflict in the First and Second World Wars.

find out more

Primary workshop

1 December 2020 - 23 July 2021

FREE

Poppies to remember?

Discover some of the stories of Remembrance held by the Museum, the evolution of the poppy as a symbol, and how it is used today.

find out more

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Secondary workshop

1 December 2020 - 23 July 2021

FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

find out more